天天吃瓜

Overview

This module will introduce you to the practicalities and challenges of growing forests in the UK. It will give a practical introduction to forestry fundamentals, with topics such as tree ID, site classification, basic soil science, principles of silviculture, species selection and tree nursery practice. You will attend a series of specialist lectures that introduce the broader aspects of forestry in the UK, finishing with an introduction to agroforestry systems. You will be assessed through a combination of coursework (a report and site visit description) and examinations on theoretical knowledge and tree ID.

Examples of topics you may study are: Introduction to woodland, forests and trees in the landscape: history of the UK forests; Introduction to forest practice: Tree Identification and Tree measurement; Silvicultural systems and characteristics; site classification, soil identification, species selection; tree nursery practices, forest and woodland establishment to harvesting, and stand stability; Introduction to forest health. Provisioning from forests; Basic wood science: wood properties and the effect of water on its properties Wood and wood-based forest products, non-timber forest products; Introduction to forest economics and decision-making; Introduction to agroforestry systems.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Shows a basic knowledge of without major omissions or misunderstanding and in sufficient depth to form a coherent answer, where gradings within the D category (40-49%) would be appropriate.

-good -Shows an intermediate level of understanding, competence and skill with some evidence of additional reading, where gradings within the B and C categories (50-69%) would be appropriate.

-excellent -Shows and advanced and in depth knowledge with extensive use of primary and current literature resources, where gradings within the A category (70+%) would be appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to accurately identify common tree species in their local environment based on key botanical characteristics, including leaf shape, bark texture, branching pattern, and reproductive structures. Additionally, they will demonstrate proficiency in using dichotomous keys and field guides to classify trees, enabling them to effectively contribute to forest management and conservation efforts.

• Students will demonstrate proficiency in synthesizing information from diverse sources, such as scientific literature and field observations, to produce insightful and well-supported reports

• Students will develop the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to classify forest sites based on a variety of factors including soil characteristics, topography, and vegetation composition. They will demonstrate the ability to identify key data to describe and differentiate between different management systems , contributing to informed decision-making in forest management planning

• Students will have the capability to conduct tree species reports, integrating botanical, ecological, and silvicultural knowledge. They will be adept at identifying and describing key morphological features, ecological requirements, habitat preferences, and economic significance of select tree species.